Beerbohm Tree: His Life and Laughter by Pearson, Hesketh - 1956

New York: Harper Brothers, 1956 "The first biography of one of the theaters richest, most humorous characters here portrayed as lover, actor, producer and personality." Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ( 1852 - 1917) English actor and theatre manager.Tree began performing in the 1870s. in 1887, as manager of the Haymarket Theatre, highly praised for adventurous programming and lavish productions, and starring in many of its productions. In 1899, he helped fund the rebuilding, and became manager, of His Majesty's Theatre. Again, he promoted a mix of Shakespeare and classic plays with new works and adaptations of popular novels, giving them spectacular productions in this large house, and often playing leading roles. Although Tree was regarded as a versatile and skilled actor, particularly in character roles, by his later years, his technique was seen as mannered and old fashioned. He founded the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1904 and was knighted, for his contributions to theatre, in 1909. 250p. plates. index. Neat tIght copy, ffep missing, else near fine. 1st US Edition.. Hardcover. Very Good/Good (Scuffed, repaired).